Chris, I saw your recent post on the Montana Senate race. Maybe I am missing something. They have a Democratic Governor and Senator. Plus it's a relatively inexpensive media market. Why can't the Ds at least make it a competitive race? Thanks

A: Chris Cillizza

1. No good candidates. Schweitzer was their best hope -- and even he was a mixed bag. Walsh had the advantages of incumbency. Anyone they put in now will have around 80 days to build an entire campaign.

2. State is R leaning. Montana isn't as Republicans as Idaho or Wyoming, but leans toward Republicans -- especially in a midterm election with an unpopular Democratic president in the White House.

I was reading a discussion on the McDonnell trial and someone (anonymous, of course) wrote that the McDonnells threw a joint birthday party prior to the trial. Wouldn't that cast doubt on their claim that their marriage was broken, shattered, etc. and they couldn't conspire? (The anonymous writer also said that the McDonnells set up a "make me a meal" plan on the web for their friends to bring them food during the trial too.)

A: Chris Cillizza

No idea about that stuff though I would be wary of what anonymous people say in general.

One thing I know for sure: Maureen McDonnell had the Worst Week in Washington.

I'd like to nominate the Cincinnati media market consisting of three states as the worst place to reside in an election year starting in September. With the McConnell U.S. Senate race and the Ohio gubernatorial race dominating the news, watching sports on television will be excruciating!. Good thing Indiana is relatively quiet this year. (Side note: worst week in a governor's race: Ohio Democratic nominee Ed Fitzgerald found to be driving illegally for ten years because he was too busy to obtain a driver's license. He was 12 points behind in the polls and this won't help. An editorial in the Cincinnati Enquirer noted a poll in which people were less aware of Fitzgerald in July than in May. How does that happen!)

Hi Chris -- thanks for taking questions today. The reaction to Rand Paul's reaction to Rep. King and his interaction with the DREAMers at the Iowa event has been interesting to watch. Some are praising Sen. Paul's instincts to stay clear, while others claim it was the cowardly thing to do. Speaking as a neutral observer of all things political, what did you think?

A: Chris Cillizza

See answer above. Not his finest hour by a longshot but probably the lesser of two political evils.

Ever thought about an app for people's phones so they can follow and participate in your weekly discussions? Maybe some $$ in that too. You could even share photos of your half-eaten sandwiches and partially empty cups of what you drink (since folks seem to want to know this every week)...just a thought...

There's been so much talk the last few weeks about how spotty the polling is in Hawaii, but is there any sense for what a hurricane is going to do to election day turnout? If turnout is understandably low, what impact should that have on the Governor/Senate races?

A: Chris Cillizza

My guess would be that it would lower turnout -- by how much I do not know.

Last I heard Gov. Abercrombie was planning to go forward with the election.

Low turnout in theory favors the machine candidates: David Ige and Colleen Hanbusa.

Is Braley really in trouble over chickens? And because his opponent can castrate pigs and shoot well? Weird stuff in Iowa...

A: Chris Cillizza

It's not the chickens. It's the idea that Iowans don't sue each other over chickens.

This story by Phil Rucker is absolutely amazing. http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/in-iowa-a-dispute-over-neighbors-chickens-threatens-braleys-senate-bid/2014/08/07/4ae3d5e2-1e47-11e4-ae54-0cfe1f974f8a_story.html?tid=pm_pop

I haven't read a single word about the McDonnell trial. He's out of politics for life, no matter what the verdict is. Why are political reporters interested, given that he's a non-entity in terms of political involvement. Nobody will even ask him for contributions. He's more toxic than Weiner, and his wife isn't an aide to a future presidential candidate. So why is the Post covering this like he's a sitting governor?

A: Chris Cillizza

Um, he's the just-former governor who allegedly took all these gifts while in office. It's a very big story.

At one point, I believe you noted that Obama's approval ratings were similar to those of George W. Bush at the same point in his presidency. Now, however, Obama's ratings seem to have stabilized, albeit at not-so-great levels, whereas Bush's continued to decline into the basement. From a political analyst perspective, what do you think is the cause of the difference (I'm trying to avoid the partisan debate as to who was the better/worse president).

A: Chris Cillizza

I have talked to a lot of pollsters -- in both parties -- about this. They believe that Obama's floor is far higher than Bush's floor because of the strong support Obama has always enjoyed African Americans.

That support is not the sort that ebbs away as a president's political fortune slips.

Krusty's Accountant: Let me get this straight. You took all the money you made franchising your name and bet it *against* the Harlem Globetrotters? Krusty the Clown: Oh, I thought the Generals were due! He's spinning the ball on his finger! Just take it! Take it!

Well, given that Bob McDonnell -- much less his wife -- has ZERO future in politics, I have to agree that he's not relevant any more. I'm not reading about his trial, because it doesn't really matter now.

Did you see the Colbert Report the other day when he went retro over Nixon's resignation? I thought it was brilliant! I must admit, though, that I was disappointed that his guests, Buchanan and Dean, didn't play along.

A: Chris Cillizza

LOVED.

If you missed: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2014/08/05/stephen-colbert-remembers-watergate-gate-wears-copious-amounts-of-hair-gel/

It's funny that you said that voters "won't forget" what he did or didn't do in 2012. I'm trying to remember what he DID do that was so forgettable. I don't think I can recall anything memorable. But I've seen him on TV recently, and the conventional wisdom that he's a dumb cowboy (if that is the CW) isn't true. He's clearly knowledgeable and intelligent, and I acknowledge that even if I wouldn't vote for him for president.

A: Chris Cillizza

Um, the three departments he would eliminate if he were president? Does that ring a bell?

Any other states besides Michigan where Democratic candidates have a chance of making significant hay over Koch brothers' support for the Republican opponent?

A: Chris Cillizza

I don't buy that the Michigan race or any other race rises o falls based on how much money the Kochs spend. With the exception of the media and the Democratic base, i think that's inside baseball that voters don't care about.

Chris, could you please ask any nearby teenager to explain to you how to post links in your responses so that they actually link? I've heard rumors that it's not difficult. All the other chat-kids can do it. Thank you.

A: Chris Cillizza

I am, admittedly, an idiot. I will figure this out before next Friday. This I pledge.

OK, you remember what Rick Perry forgot. But you're a professional political reporter and remembering that kind of error is your job. Do you really think that a majority of voters who aren't professional political reporters will remember or care when 2016 rolls around?

A: Chris Cillizza

I am putting "professional political reporter" on my business cards ASAP.

You've been busy hyping Rand Paul for months. I get it-he's a good quote-but it's absurd to think McDonnell's wife had a worse week than Rand Paul. He's supposed to be able to connect with young voters and minorities-he ran away.

A: Chris Cillizza

"Hyping? Do you mean writing about his chances in the 2016 race?

Also, he didn't have a great week. But, nowhere near as bad as Maureen McDonnell.

I don't see why the poor state of their marriage is a good defense anyway. It seems to prove the point that Maureen was willing to do anything for more more more attention; and Bob was willing to do anything for her--that was constant no matter whose gold she was digging for.

A: Chris Cillizza

Because it suggests that the gifts weren't taken out to get or give something but rather because Maureen had a platonic crush on Jonnie Williams. There was no attempt to influence public policy, the defense argued, just a lonely woman looking for attention.

It doesn't paint Maureen McDonnell in the best light but it may keep the two of them out of jail.

If you live anywhere near DC, make sure to come to "Politics and Pints" THIS MONDAY at the Capitol Lounge. Invite here: https://www.facebook.com/politicsandpints

Chris Cillizza

And thanks as always for joining me. We do this chat every Friday at 11 am.

SPREAD THE WORD!

Chris

Chris Cillizza

Good morning everyone! I am taking today off -- but i NEVER miss a chat if I can help it.

So, fresh off of watching Fix Jr. play soccer, I am sequestered at a local Starbucks bringing my chat game to you.

Let's start off the chat with a question. As of today, what is the ONE race you think decides the Senate majority -- and why?

Bring it.

In This Chat

Chris Cillizza

Chris Cillizza is the managing editor of PostPolitics and he writes "The Fix," a politics blog for The Washington Post. He also covers the White House for the newspaper and website. Chris has appeared as a guest on NBC, CBS, ABC, MSNBC, Fox News Channel and CNN to talk politics. He lives in Virginia with his wife and sons.